Freeze-proof water hydrant system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for preventing freeze-up in water hydrant couplings provided in a water supply conduit conveying a continuous flow of water to the respective hydrant couplings, wherein a portion of the water flowing in the supply conduit is diverted into each coupling and around the diverter disposed within the coupling and then back into the conduit thereby preventing freeze-up within the coupling when the water hydrant mounted on the coupling is turned off.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a freeze-proof water hydrant system for supplying water to spaced hydrants, such as for snow making guns or towers arranged along a ski slope.

Freeze-up of water hydrants supplying water to snow guns or snow towers along a ski slope is a common problem. The prior art solves this problem by continuously circulating the supply water through a pipeline which passes through the hydrant. This is a very costly freeze prevention system for manufacture and installation. For example, see the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 349,202; 822,920; 1,322,014 and 2,932,313.

It is accordingly a principal of the present invention to provide a freeze-proof water hydrant system which is simple in operation and inexpensive to manufacture and install, yet fully effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In water circulation systems for supplying a plurality of spaced water hydrants, such as hydrants used for supplying snow making equipment, a main water supply conduit is provided for conveying a continuous flow of water therein and hydrant outlet couplings extend laterally and upwardly from the conduit at specified locations therealong with a water hydrant connected to each coupling. Each of the hydrants is provided with a valve at its base for valving water on and off to the hydrant respectively mounted to the couplings, and a drain at the base of each hydrant is provided for draining the respective hydrants when valved off.

The device of the present invention for preventing water freeze-up in the outlet couplings when respective of the hydrant valves are turned off, includes a diverter secured within each outlet and extending into the main water supply conduit. The diverter is dimensioned and contoured to continuously divert a portion of the water flowing in the conduit into the outlet coupling, around the diverter and back into the conduit whereby freeze-up in the coupling is prevented in sub-freezing ambient conditions when the hydrant is valved off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages appear hereinafter in the following description and claims. The accompanying drawings show, for the purpose of exemplification, without limiting the scope of the invention or the appended claims, certain practical embodiments of the present invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the outlet coupling of the present invention incorporating the internal diverter for continuously diverting a portion of water flowing in the main water conduit into the outlet coupling, around the diverter and back into the supply conduit;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the outlet coupling and diverter combination illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a mid cross sectional view of the outlet coupling and diverter combination shown in FIG. 2 as seen along section line III-III;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the outlet coupling and diverter combination illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the outlet coupling and diverter combination shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view shown in vertical mid cross section showing the combination outlet coupling and diverter connected to the main water supply conduit, and illustrating how a portion of the water flowing in the main supply conduit is diverted into the coupling and around the diverter to prevent freeze-up within the coupling;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a water hydrant for snow making equipment which is secured to the upper end of the outlet coupling and diverter combination of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the base of the hydrant illustrated in FIG. 7 as secured to the combination outlet coupling and diverter of the present invention, which in turn is secured to the main water supply conduit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, the water circulation system 10 of the present invention is provided for supplying a plurality of spaced water hydrants 11, such as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The system includes a main water supply conduit 12 for conveying a continuous flow of water therein as indicated by arrows 13 (FIG. 6), and a hydrant outlet coupling 14 extending laterally and upwardly from conduit 12 at specified locations therealong. Water hydrants 11 (FIGS. 7 and 8) are connected to each coupling. Each of the water hydrants 11 is provided with a valve 15 at its base for valving water on and off from respective of the couplings 14 via water valve 16 which is turned on and off via valve handle 17. Drains 15 are commonly available on the market and are automatic in that they drain the hydrant when the water is valved off and water pressure within the hydrants drops below a predetermined level.

Each outlet coupling 14 of the present invention is provided with a central diverter 17 secured therein. Each diverter 17 has bottom downwardly protruding curved flanges 18 which extend downwardly into the main water conduit 12 and are oriented and exposed to the water flow indicated by arrows 13. The diverter 17 is dimensioned and contoured to continuously divert a portion of the water flowing in conduit 12 into an outlet coupling 14, around the diverter 17 and back into the conduit 12 as indicated by the arrows 19 (FIG. 6). This prevents freeze-up of the water in the couplings 14 which would otherwise remain stagnant within the couplings 14 and eventually freeze in sub-freezing ambient conditions when the hydrants are valved off. 

I claim:
 1. In a water circulation system for supplying a plurality of spaced water hydrants, including a main water supply conduit for conveying a continuous flow of water therein and hydrant outlet couplings extending laterally and upwardly from said conduit at specified locations therealong with a water hydrant connected to each coupling, said hydrants having a valve at their base for valving water on and off from respective of said couplings to said hydrants and a drain at their base for draining the hydrant when valved off; a device for preventing water freeze-up in said outlet couplings when respective of said hydrant valves are turned off, said device including a diverter secured in each outlet and extending into said conduit, said diverter dimensioned and contoured to continuously divert a portion of the water flowing in said conduit into said outlet couplings, around said diverters and back into said conduit whereby freeze-up in said couplings is prevented in sub-freezing ambient conditions when said hydrants are valved off
 2. A water hydrant system comprising: a main water supply conduit for conveying a continuous flow of water therein; a hydrant outlet coupling extending laterally and upwardly from said conduit and having an upright water hydrant connected to said coupling, said hydrant having a valve at its base for valving water to said hydrant on and off and a drain at the base of said hydrant for draining the hydrant when valved off; a diverter secured in said outlet and extending into said conduit, said diverter dimensioned and contoured to continuously divert a portion of the water flowing in said conduit into said coupling, around said diverter and back into said conduit whereby freeze-up in said coupling is prevented.
 3. A method of preventing freeze-up in a hydrant coupling provided in a water supply conduit conveying a continuous flow of water, comprising: diverting a portion of the water flowing in the conduit into a cavity provided in the coupling with a diverter disposed in said cavity and then around the diverter and back into said conduit. 